C'io Behkt

While Linkshells operate like a chat channel and get used by some as chat/network tools (such as is the case with Intermission), the way I understand it is that they also used as roleplaying guilds. While linkshells do operate mechanically like a chat channel and while some of them are used as chat/networking tools (such as Intermission and Endless Skies), I've also seen them used as full-fledged guilds for roleplayers. Blue Skies Adventuring Company is mechanically just a linkshell, but it requires an IC/OOC application to enter, same with several other linkshells listed in the Hall. It also requires that an "officer" invite you into the shell, so you can't just "join the chat." In that manner, it is very much like a regular guild before MMOs began adding all the other functions to guilds. What I presume this allows is for more focus of purpose. For us, linkshells exist to drive RP and craft stories. People get inducted ICly into linkshells, people leave shells as the story shifts, they are an In-Character part of the world because linkshells and pearls exist in the world canonically. Free Companies, on the other hand, with all the game mechanics attached to them, often function better a little divided from the wholly RP shells so that they can focus more on end-game content rather than story-crafting. This lets you pull in people for OOC reasons or even non-RPers to achieve progression goals rather than worrying about how it all fits into the story so you can play the game, roleplay in the world, have your cake, and eat it. I know I'm planning on keeping my Linkshells IC (save for the few necessary like Intermission and various OOCs) and my Free Company mostly OOC (in that I will look for one on purely PvE criteria rather than IC criteria). And for clarification purposes, you can have 8 Linkshells and 1 Free Company. I hope this helps, .

Given that C'io's had the gift to hear the "voices of the land" since she was young, I now am intimately aware of why she felt like she -needed- to be at that battle five years ago and why it upset her when she couldn't be. That sound clip is absolutely haunting!

I think this is likely. 99% of Squeenix's character models in any Final Fantasy game are youthfully perfect, with lustrous skin and silky hair. The player models and the NPCs are no exception. It's annoying, but what can one do? We hide the elderly where we used to hide the men, >_>.

I think what happens is that they send you a $10 rebate after your purchase goes through. Don't quote me on this, but it is what I remember happening before.

The potential queue issues is already one I had to deal with in convincing a friend to roll on Balmung despite his friend wanting to go to another (less populated) Legacy server for PvE/Server First reasons. That was a real headache of an argument. Gilgamesh won't be alone in that, so I think the reminder that "this too shall pass" in regards to "expect the queues!" is one we all need no matter where we're going. I come from this background also and have discovered in my long journey that it isn't even about pre-established rp servers; it's about people. I've run into this problem on completely new games and on completely new servers because the real issue is not "who was here before" but "who is here now." Particularly when players now travel in large groups from MMO to MMO, the possibility exists that even a new server will inherit that "pre-established" vibe from another game or group. I've seen it happen. I've even seen it happen because of people cliquing up to avoid/counter the cliques, which leads to them becoming the clique! (Replacing the bourgeoisie is a common phenomenon.) So when you can no longer trust fresh spaces to be free of that kind of thing, the only recourse left is to experiment, research, talk to people (including the established players), and make the best educated guess you can muster. Oh, and be open and accepting and not think of people in a potentially negative light based on your past. You can't let your fear rule your perceptions and your actions. Fear is precisely why cliques exist in the first place; I've seen enough clique beginnings to have made that connection. Heh, and don't worry about it too much. With this topic, I'm sure I've also managed to unintentionally offend someone reading. (To which I hope they can forgive me.) Like you said, there are a lot of issues involved and a lot of old fears at play, which is why this topic keeps coming up. Unfortunately, it keeps... coming up and sparking some of the fears and apprehensions some in this community have regarding the matter. Growing pains,

Yeah, totally agree with that. I wonder if it is possible to make a sticky of sorts that links to two categories on the wiki: Balmung and Gilgamesh. The two categories could capture the characters and shells which exist on either server and maybe even highlight any regular event or venue which gets run. It's a rough idea with its own problems, but with some polish it might actually help mitigate the frequency of this question by putting the research in an easy to find package. Or we could wait for Launch and hope the threads stop coming up once we're all too busy actually playing, hehe, . The sticky should only be done if it has a lasting value to the community otherwise it isn't worth doing either.

Shhhh, you totally ruined my dramatic moment! Although I'm glad that some of you are finding a way to enjoy and eat your cake, . It's still a more limited option of possibly leaving behind your 1.0 self, but it's something I guess. Not something for everyone, but something.

Actually, I strongly favour Balmung yet tell people to try both. The people in the middle aren't the ones advocating the "try both" option; the people who have already made their decisions are. The choice is such a poignant one that I think some of us have recognized that we should not even try to sway those undecided, as much as we might want to. Those undecided should try both; they should do research; they should make their own decision in the end because it is a decision they themselves will have to deal with. It's like my students who ask me which of two colleges they should pick. Typically the two colleges are of equal measure, both equally fantastic, both full of opportunities, both well-suited for the student. I should not make that choice; their parents should not make that choice; the student must make that choice. Why? Because I'm not the one going to their college and neither is their parents. We're not the ones who have to live with that decision for the rest of our lives, they are. We can guide them when asked, help them find the research and resources they need for better understanding, but leave it to them in the end to make that call. Same principle here.

Pushing again the "try both" philosophy because it deserves to be repeated. The option exists to be tried for those of us with the power of tabula rasa. I also want to put forward something I notice doesn't get much play whenever this discussion comes up. All of us who have the choice between Gilgamesh and Balmung are extremely privileged. All of us who have the choice to say whether we want Legacy or non-Legacy are extremely privileged. Because we're newer, we can do what we want to do. We're literally spoiled for choice with the community's decision to be in two places rather than one because we have our pick of two differently evolving and special worlds. The 1.0 players who wish to continue the characters they've so diligently played for 2-3 years don't have that choice, so whenever this topic comes up, I feel horrible for them. Every time this comes up, we highlight the choice that isn't fair for them to make given all the work they've already put into their characters during the worst of times. It's honestly heartbreaking. So, whenever this topic comes up again and again in all its different iterations, I just want everyone to remember that. That we with the choice are the lucky ones. Exercise your choice. Try both, but don't rely on those of us who have made our choices to make yours for you. It's your privilege to do that for yourself.

Yep! I get your wall updates on enjin and everything, :tonberry:

Hehe, though I wouldn't do that if you have the PS3 CE since that is presently sold out. Letting go of your order might result in actually losing it. Pretty glad I snuck in and got my CE when I could a few weeks ago! But yeah, look at the availability first before you do this!

The advantage of the class-less system is that you really do have to decide mostly on the character rather than the profession. The bad thing is that it the wider spectrum is much harder to narrow down, . I think there are a fair number of people here who are secretly as antiquated, hehe. That's the impression I get anyway. Welcome to the RPC! I look forward to running into you and experiencing the stories you share with everyone. Good luck on your search for a shell and company, and in your endeavour to narrow down those choices! Haha! Choices, choices...

I also saw you on Skype! HELLO!

In how I personally handle this on C'io, she doesn't find the traditional tribal structure of her Seeker tribe to be odd. She thinks very little of her father, actually, and is much more attached to her mother. There's a short thing I wrote which is meant to be appended to a larger thing that I think highlights that feeling: To her, her father and perhaps every other nunh out there is little more than a necessity; it is something that is just done to bring the tribe forward, and the system of nunh/tia is a matter of separating the wheat from the chaff. All female miqo'te are worthy, but the men must prove themselves. This keeps the bloodlines strong, which keeps the tribes strong, and keeping track of which nunh a miqo'te is born from helps determine later criteria for selection in case the "stock turns out to be bad." Very eugenics and very methodical. Very unfair too, but nomadic life, particularly in an Umbral Era, demands it. That all said, she does not approve of Nunh who try to assert dominance over females. They are overstepping their boundaries if they do. Basically, the amory part of polyamory is not part of the equation in her way of viewing tradition.

Just going to echo this, hehe. Welcome to the RPC!

My Life as a King totally counts! Also, if you're looking for feedback, the RP forum is a great place for public feedback. Additionally, in the Welcome Desk stickies, there's a thing about mentorship, which puts you in personal contact with one (or several) veterans of FFXIV who will give you their feedback and answer any questions you have about... pretty much anything! They put their profiles up in that thread, so you have your pick of the litter, so to speak! Welcome to the RPC. It's so exciting being new and welcoming other new people. I can't wait until we're all in-game and crafting stories together, .

Welcome to the RPC! I don't think anyone really knows how to do an introduction post, so best is to just dive in and do it, which you did! That and I think we're all shy, just hiding it really well, hehe, >_>.

Welcome to the RPC! There are so many cool shells here, and the best part is that you don't have to be exclusive, just active! This is a great place to be new, I think. So many people willing to help and post up important bits of information. Check out the mentoring thread if you're ever in need of help: it's honestly a wonderful community tool! Also a great way to meet nice people, hehe, .

Fellow dork... WELCOME! I hope you have a fantastic time here with everybody (AND ME)! I'm still laughing at the "massive" reactions here, . I now see Xenedra in a new light, >_>.

I approve of your Cait Sith avatar, hehehe! Welcome to the RPC! You couldn't have picked a better place as a new RPer to begin than here, I feel. Have fun, ask questions always, and don't be afraid to put yourself out there and experiment! Those are my keys to having a good time as a roleplayer, which I hope you do have, .

An RP Free Company or 8 RP linkshells you can participate in simultaneously?! Hehe, :tonberry: Welcome to the RPC!

Hehe, would this make this your first MMO RP? Your character has an interesting outlook, so I'm looking forward to what you shake up in the game!

I was going through the welcomes to welcome everybody, but psh! I know you already! (Welcome to the RPC, )

Merri's posts are pretty much all amazing. Here's another one on random Eorzean lore! http://ffxiv-roleplayers.com/showthread.php?tid=1059 WELCOME! And hurray for older characters! They're really something I'd like to see more of, although I know that the youthful exterior of the avatars sometimes makes that difficult, hehe. One of those games where it is difficult to look older... haha